Like most teams within the English Football League, Millwall FC have found the last eight or so months very very challenging, a project restart, a delayed 2020/21 season just two of the challenges faced by the club during the COVID -19 Pandemic.
The Past and The Future
The last game supporters came through the turnstiles for at The Den was way back on the 29th February 2020, when a second-half goal from Matt Smith earned them a share of the spoils against Bristol City. With the recent news breaking that up to 2,000 fans will be allowed back into ‘elite outdoor sports’ when the Second National lockdown ends on Wednesday 2nd December, Millwall fans will be jubilant, chomping at the bit to be part of the lucky chosen few to be allowed back to The Den, to watch their beloved Lions.
Thoughts from the Inside
The Lions Communications manager, Billy Taylor, tells Rising East that, “We’re now in a position where the return of fans looks to be around the corner and we’re hopeful it is the first step in a staged increase in attendances over the coming months.”
Millwall’s first game with fans back at The Den is set to be on Saturday 5th December when Derby County make the trip to South East London, which will of no doubt be a huge boost for Millwall, as Taylor states. “It has undoubtedly had an impact on what has happened out on the pitch and this challenging period has been a reminder to clubs and football’s authorities that the game revolves around fans and not the other way around. ”
Like most other clubs too, Millwall have had to resort to streaming matches online to fans, which Taylor says “has been good for Morale, as well as the finances”. With Millwall wanting to kick on up the table, and people like Billy working day and night on the inside, COVID certainly hasn’t beaten football, and The Lions will have their Den, roaring again with 2000 fans on Saturday!